人間の心の中には生まれつきある音楽が流れていてそれに似た曲を人は好きになるんだとか。「自分の曲」は何だろうといつも考えながら歌詞を和訳しています。
I have heard that every one of us has a special music running deep inside our soul and whatever music we love in our lives has something in common with it. I always translate English lyrics into Japanese, wondering what my music sounds like.
私は大したことのない普通の人間なので「悪かったってわかっているし，二度と期待は裏切らないよ・・・いや違うな，またやるな，そうだよきっとやらかしちゃうよ」という主人公の気持ちが大変良くわかります。 As an ordinary person, I can feel the narrator who says "And I know I was wrong, But I won't let you down, Oh, yeah, I will, yeah, I will, yes, I will". Sparks (Coldplay)
[Verse 1] Did I drive you away? I know what you'll say You say, "Oh, sing one we know" But I promise you this I'll always look out for you Yeah, that's what I'll do
[Chorus] I say, oh I say, oh
[Verse 2] My heart is yours It's you that I hold onto Yeah, that's what I do And I know I was wrong But I won't let you down Oh, yeah, I will, yeah, I will, yes, I will
[Chorus] I said, oh I cry, oh
[Bridge] Yeah, I saw sparks Yeah, I saw sparks And I saw sparks Yeah, I saw sparks
[Outro] Sing it out La-la-la-la, oh-oh La-la-la-la, oh-oh La-la-la-la, oh-oh La-la-la-la, oh-oh
この展開は予想していませんでしたね。下のヴィデオを見て，最初はひどいケンカの後で主人公が女性を捨てて出て行ったのだと思いました。確かにある意味そうとも言えるのですが少し違います。ヴィデオを見て多少ショックを受ける方もあるかもしれません。
Well that's not what I expected. Watching the video below, I first thought the narrator left the girl after having a terrible fight between them. Well, they did in a way but not exactly. Some of you may find the video below a bit disturbing. Wish the Wind Would Blow Me (Bob Schneider)
I wish I was a baby bear, sleeping in the brown
Winter grass in April when the sun was going down.
I wish my shoes were empty and I was still in bed
With you there beside me with your dreams inside your head
I wish the world would do what I want it to
And I wish the wind would blow me, blow me back to you
Well, I wish your mom was ugly, and your dad was ugly too.
Then they couldn't have a girl to be as beautiful as you.
I wish I was a tightrope walker with legs made out of gold.
I'd hold you in my golden legs and never let you go
I wish the world would do what I want it to.
And I wish the wind would blow me, blow me back to you
Well, I wish I could see Jesus shining in the sky.
And he could let me know that everything will be alright.
I wish I knew that God's love was all I'd ever need.
I'd cut my candy teeth for fun and let the good times bleed
Oh, I wish the world would do what I want it to
Wish the world would do what I wanted to.
And I wish the wind would blow me, blow me back to you
どの楽器を使って曲を演奏するかが大きな違いを生むことがあります。最初のヴィデオ（こちらが原曲）は反逆心に溢れ権威に屈しない感じがしますが，二番目のカヴァーはもっと優しく励ますような感じです。
Sometimes what style of music you play a song with matters. The second video which is an acoustic cover is much comforting and encouraging while the first video which is the original sounds much rebellious and disobedient to the authority. Times Like These (Foo Fighters / Live Lounge Allstars)
(Live Lounge Allstars Cover)
[Verse 1: Dua Lipa, Anne-Marie & Ellie Goulding]
I, I'm a one way motorway
I'm the one that drives away, then follows you back home And I, I'm a street light shinin' I'm a white light blinding bright, burning off alone on, oh-oh-oh
[Chorus: Jess Glynne, Sam Fender, Mabel & Dan Smith]
It's times like these you learn to live again It's times like these we give and give again It's times like these you learn to love again It's times like these, time and time again, oh-oh-oh
[Verse 2: Simon Neil, Rita Ora, Mike Kerr & Dermot Kennedy]
I, I'm a new day rising I'm a brand new sky to hang the stars upon tonight I, I am a little divided Do I stay or run away and leave it all behind?
[Chorus: Dan Smith, Rag'n'Bone Man, Mabel, Sigrid, Ellie Goulding & Dave Grohl, Rag'n'Bone Man & Sigrid] I know
It's times like these you learn to live again
It's times like these you give and give again
It's times like these you learn to love again It's times like these, time and time again (Again)
[Verse 3: AJ Tracey & Sean Paul]
Let's go, it's times like these that we activate
Do something to improve, not procrastinate (Oh)
I've been cooking now, make a wicked pasta bake
Stream games at 11 but I clap at eight (It's time like these)
And I'll do a FaceTime if you tempt me
Time to pay back what the health docs lent me (Oh)
And for me West Ten's elementary
But right now I wanna see Ladbroke Grove empty, you get me?
We make it better together we'll make a better life
Because the pressure is ever upon us every night
And everyday so we pray and we will forever fight
We'll make it better together, we'll make a better life
[Bridge: Celeste, Paloma Faith, Luke Hemmings & YUNGBLUD]
I, I'm a one way motorway
I'm the one that drives away, then follows you back home, mm-mm-hm
I, I'm a street light shining (Ooh)
I'm a wild light blinding bright, burnin' off alone
宗教は一体何のためにあるのでしょうか？おわかりのように， この曲には元々2番目のヴィデオでWretch 32が歌っているラップ・パートは存在しませんが，彼はそこで以前自分の曲でも触れた件について語っています。この曲を聞きながら，人間には頼れるあるいは逃げて行ける存在が必要であり，そういうものを「神」と呼んだりするのだなと感じました。
What's a religion for? As you see, the song originally has no rap part performed by Wretch 32 in the second video below. There he again mentioned aborting his child as he did in his song before. Listening to this song, I feel we need someone we can rely on or run to and often call them God sometimes. Blinded by Your Grace - Pt. 2 (Stormzy ft. MNEK)
(Acoustic Version ft. Wretch 32 and Aion Clarke)
[Intro: Stormzy]
I'm blinded by your grace
I'm blinded by your grace, by your grace
I'm blinded by your grace
I'm blinded by your
[Chorus: Stormzy & MNEK]
Lord, I've been broken
Although I'm not worthy
You fixed me, I'm blinded by your grace
You came and saved me
Lord, I've been broken
Although I'm not worthy
You fixed me, now I'm blinded by your grace
You came and saved me
[Verse 1: Stormzy]
One time for the Lord, and one time for the cause
And one round of applause
One time for Fraser T Smith on the chords
I feel we got one, I stay prayed up then I get the job done
Yeah, I'm Abigail's yout, but I'm God's son
But I'm up now, look at what God's done
Now I real talk, look at what God did
On the main stage runnin' 'round topless
I phone Flipz then I tell him that he got this
This is God's plan, they can never stop this
Like... wait right there, could you stop my verse?
You saved this kid and I'm not your first
It's not by blood and it's not by birth
But oh my God, what a God I serve
[Chorus: Stormzy & MNEK]
Lord, I've been broken
Although I'm not worthy
You fixed me, I'm blinded by your grace
You came and saved me
Lord, I've been broken
Although I'm not worthy
You fixed me, now I'm blinded by your grace
You came and saved me
[Verse 2: MNEK]
I said a prayer this morning, I prayed I would find a way
To another day, I was so afraid
'Til you came and saved, you came and saved me
And the rain was pouring, 'cause the sun faded away
Now I'm in a better place, no longer afraid
Blinded by your grace, you came and saved me, yeah
I said a prayer this morning, I prayed I would find a way
To another day, I was so afraid
'Til you came and saved, you came and saved me
And the rain was pouring, 'cause the sun faded away
Now I'm in a better place, no longer afraid
Blinded by your grace, you came and saved me, yeah
[Chorus: Stormzy & MNEK]
Lord, I've been broken
Although I'm not worthy
You fixed me, I'm blinded by your grace
You came and saved me
Lord, I've been broken
Although I'm not worthy
You fixed me, now I'm blinded by your grace
You came and saved me
アリゾナ州フェニックスからニュー・メキシコ州のアルバカーキまでは，直線距離で約332マイル，陸路では約421マイルほど離れており，車で行こうとすると約6時間半の道のりです。「フェニックスに俺が着く頃，あいつはきっと目を覚まし (By the time I get to Phoenix she'll be rising)」や「アルバカーキに俺が付く頃，あいつは仕事をしてるはず，多分昼を食べに出て (By the time I make Albuquerque she'll be working, She'll prob'ly stop at lunch)」という箇所から考えて，主人公は車で移動していると考えられます。
The distance between Phoenix and Albuquerque is 332.41 miles and there's 421.65 miles by car. These two cities are 6 hours 31 mins far apart (by car). Judging from lines saying "By the time I get to Phoenix she'll be rising" and "By the time I make Albuquerque she'll be working, She'll prob'ly stop at lunch", the narrator seems to be moving by car. By The Time I Get To Phoenix (Glen Campbell)
By the time I get to Phoenix she'll be rising
She'll find the note I left hangin' on her door
She'll laugh when she reads the part that says I'm leavin'
'Cause I've left that girl so many times before
By the time I make Albuquerque she'll be working
She'll prob'ly stop at lunch and give me a call
But she'll just hear that phone keep on ringin'
Off the wall that's all
By the time I make Oklahoma she'll be sleepin'
She'll turn softly and call my name out loud
And she'll cry just to think I'd really leave her
Tho' time and time I try to tell her so
She just didn't know I would really go
Israel Kamakawiwo'oleによる有名なOver The Rainbowのカヴァーにヒントを得て，James Ford Murphyはこの曲を書いたとか。ご覧の通り，タイトルのLava（溶岩）はlove（愛）と似た響きであり，そのためloveという言葉の代わりに使われています。が，lava（溶岩）と聞いて私が連想するのは別のものです。
It's said that a famous cover of Over The Rainbow done by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole inspired James Ford Murphy to write this song. As you see, the title Lava sounds similar to love and is used in place of love. It reminds me of something else, though. Lava (Kuana Torres Kahele, Napua Greig & James Ford Murphy)
[Intro]
Narrator : [Kuana Torres Kahele]
A long long time ago there was a volcano
Living all alone in the middle of the sea
He sat high above his bay watching all the couples play
And wishing that he had someone too
And from his lava came this song of hope that he sang
Out loud everyday for years and years
Uku (The lonely Volcano): Kuana Torres Kahele
I have a dream I hope will come true
That you're here with me and I'm here with you
I wish that the earth, sea, the sky up above-a
Will send me someone to lava
[Narrator]
Years of singing all alone turned his lava into stone
Until he was on the brink of extinction
But little did he know that living in the sea below
Another volcano was listening to his song
Everyday she heard his tune her lava grew and grew
Because she believed his song was meant for her
Now she was so ready to meet him above the sea
As he sang his song of hope for the last time
[Uku]
I have a dream I hope will come true
That you're here with me and I'm here with you
I wish that the earth, sea, the sky up above-a
Will send me someone to lava
[Narrator]
Rising from the sea below stood a lovely volcano
Looking all around but she could not see him
He tried to sing to let her know that she was not there alone
But with no lava his song was all gone
He filled the sea with his tears and watched his dreams disappear
As she remembered what his song meant to her
[Lele (Love interest of Uku)]
I have a dream I hope will come true
That you're here with me and I'm here with you
I wish that the earth, sea, the sky up above-a
Will send me someone to lava
[Narrator]
Oh they were so happy to finally meet above the sea
All together now their lava grew and grew
No longer are they all alone with aloha as their new home
And when you visit them this is what they sing
[Outro: Uku and Lele]
I have a dream I hope will come true
That you'll grow old with me and I'll grow old with you
We thank the earth, sea, the sky we thank too
I lava you
I lava you
I lava you
John LegendのOrdinary Peopleを歌い，ブラインド・オーディションを通過した後，彼女はTeam Jessieに加わったわけですが，彼女がJessie Jをコーチにしたのもわかるような気がします。2人の声が似ているからです。ハスキーで太く力強い声。下のアコースティック・ヴァージョンではそれがいかんなく発揮されています。
She joined Team Jessie after passing the blind audition singing John Legend's Ordinary People in 2011. I think I know why she chose Jessie J for her coach. They have a similar voice, thick, husky and powerful. The acoustic version below clearly demonstrates what Becky has. False Alarm (Matoma & Becky Hill)
(Acoustic Version)
[Pre-Chorus]
I heard sirens in my head
From the first time that we met
Thought it was a false alarm
Yeah, we started as a spark
Didn't think we'd come this far
But here we are, oh
[Chorus]
I'm dancing in flames
I'm dancing in flames
I ain't scared of the blaze
Don't rescue me
And now I'm burning in your arms
Endless fire in my heart
No, it's not a false alarm
No, it's not a false alarm
[Verse 1]
But here we are
I never get my hopes up
Cause then I'll never get let down
But you were something special
I didn't notice until now
[Pre-Chorus]
I heard sirens in my head
From the first time that we met
Thought it was a false alarm
Yeah, we started as a spark
Didn't think we'd come this far
But here we are, oh
[Chorus]
I'm dancing in flames
I'm dancing in flames
I ain't scared of the blaze
Don't rescue me
And now I'm burning in your arms
Endless fire in my heart
No, it's not a false alarm
No, it's not a false alarm
No, it's not a false alarm
No, no
No, it's not a false alarm
No, no
No, it's not a false alarm
[Bridge]
Maybe I'm too careful
Didn't trust the signs
Didn't wanna jump
Too scared of the height
[Chorus]
And now I'm burning in your arms
Endless fire in my heart
No, it's not a false alarm
No, it's not a false alarm
Oh, no, it's not a false alarm
No, no
No, it's not a false alarm
No, it's not a false alarm
No, it's not a false alarm
人には出会いと別れがありますが曲も同じで，ある日突然，脈絡もなく出会ってしまう曲もあります。ネットで偶然出会うまで，Nick Drakeという名前もこの曲のことも全く知りませんでしたが，この曲を聞くと，なぜか救われたような気持ちになりました。
People come and go and so does songs. Some songs like this come into my life from nowhere. I've never heard his name Nick Drake nor this song before I stumbled upon it on the Internet. I don't know what the narrator is exactly talking about. Listening to it, I feel saved somehow. Cello Song (Nick Drake)
Strange face, with your eyes so pale and sincere
Underneath you know well you have nothing to fear
For the dreams that came to you when so young
Told of a life where Spring is sprung
Mmm
You would seem so frail in the cold of the night
When the armies of emotion go out to fight
But while the Earth sinks to its grave
You sail to the sky on the crest of a wave
So forget this cruel world where I belong
I'll just sit and wait and sing my song
And if one day you should see me in the crowd
Lend a hand and lift me to your place in the cloud
Fix YouでChris Martinは「頑張ってるのに上手く行かない・・・そんな時は (When you try your best but you don't succeed)」と歌っていますが， 努力しただけの見返りがないと，人間は不満を感じて落ち込むことが多いものです。すぐに（良い）結果が出ることを望んでいるわけですが，残念ながらいつもそうとは限らないので，途中でイヤになり諦めてしまいます。
Michael Kiwanukaによれば，この曲は「諦めず努力を続け，結果を出せ，何もかもすぐに諦めるな」という内容なんだとか。
"When you try your best but you don't succeed" sings Chris Martin in their Fix You. In such a time we often get frustrated and depressed because we're not getting any payoff from what we invested before. What we want is an instant (good) feedback but unfortunately it's not something we always get. So we get tired and give up. The singer says this song "is about keeping on going, building on things and not dropping everything instantaneously," I'm Getting Ready (Michael Kiwanuka)
Oh my
I didn't know what it means to believe
Oh my
I didn't know what it means to believe
But if I hold on tight, is it true?
Would You take care of all that I do?
Oh Lord
I'm getting ready to believe
Oh my
I didn't know how hard it would be
Oh my
I didn't know how hard it would be
But if I hold on tight, is it true?
Would You take care of all that I do?
Oh Lord
I'm getting ready to believe
Then we'll be waving hands, singing freely
Singing standing tall, it's now coming easy
Oh, no more looking down, honey, can't you see?
Oh Lord, I'm getting ready to believe
Then we'll be waving hands singing freely
Singing standing tall it's now coming easy
Oh no more looking down, honey, can't you see?
強い意志を持った人のことを「鉄の意志を持った人 (a man of iron will)」と言います。Titaniumの回にも述べましたが，私の意志はアルミ製です。軽く，毒性もなく，腐食耐性もありますが，柔軟 (pliable)ですぐに曲がる点が問題です。ただ，アルミの場合，低い温度であれば，硬度が増すので，あまり「熱くならない」ようにすることが大切なのかもしれません。
Tony Luccaという名前に聞き覚えはありますか？私はありません。Tony Luccaという名前もこの曲も今回初めて聞きましたが美しい曲でした。Wikipediaによると，彼はBritney Spears，Christina Aguirela，Justin Timberlake（元彼）などが出演していたあのMickey Mouse Clubの出身で，Maroon 5，Kelly Clarkson，Sara Bareillesなどのアーティストのツアーに出演している方のようです。
Is his name Tony Lucca familiar with you? No, it wasn't with me. I have never heard of Tony Lucca or this song before but I found it beautiful. Wikipedia tells that he started his career on the Mickey Mouse Club which Britney Spears, Christina Aguirela and Justin Timberlake also appeared on in their early teens. It also states he is a touring artist and has toured with a multitude of acts, including Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson and Sara Bareilles, It's You (Tony Lucca)
I watch the sunset, while you watch it rise.
Flame colored teardrops burning my eyes.
While you find another day, thousands of miles away.
One more night finds me alone, holding on
To the simple and sweetest thought of you-
It’s you, it’s you.
I’ll out dance the ocean, parade in the sand.
Waiting for you, I’ll wait like no other man.
For you to come into me, lay skin to skin with me.
Making me smile and smile-it’s been a while.
Still, making my memories come true.
It’s you, it’s you.
I told her all my thoughts on loneliness.
Shared with her all my fears of afraid.
Maybe there’s no point trying to paint the picture,
Wondering what if she could’ve stayed.
So don’t send me no letters, I won’t drop you no line.
Things will get better, baby in due time.
Just keep me in your prayer and I’ll keep you right here-
Deep in this heart of mine, cause I find,
The only thing that helps me make it through
Is you, it’s you.
Tony Luccaは2012年のThe Voiceにも出場していてそこでは3位だったそうです。あの手の番組は「優勝してナンボ」と思いがちですが，Carly Rae JepsenはCanadian Idolで3位，Jennifer Hudsonに至っては7位であることを考えれば，そうとも言い切れないような気がします。
このバンド名が「ザ・ベイシックス」以外の発音であるなど考えたこともありませんでしたが，驚いたことに公式サイトやWikipediaを見ると，実際にはフランス語っぽい「バジーク」となっているようです。曲の内容は主人公が相手にやり直させてくれと頼むシンプルなラヴ・ソングです。このところ自分が好きなのはEDMだと思っていましたが，この曲を聞き「音楽の神髄」ともいえるものを感じて新鮮な驚きを覚えました。
I've never imagined any other pronunciation but [ðə béisiks] would be possible for the name of this band. To my surprise, it actually sounds more French [ðə bæzɪtʃ/bazz-ich] according to their official website and Wikipedia. The song is a simple love song in which the narrator asks the second person to give him a second chance. I see myself as an EDM fan but this was one of few songs that opened my eyes to the quintessence of music and gave me a sense of wonder these days. I Don't Need Another (The Basics)
I know I’ve no right to ask,
After the things that I did,
I know I hurt you real bad,
You have no reason to forgive me,
I know that I've made mistakes,
I know I've made quite a few,
But I think I've got what it takes, to show you I can be true,
Chorus,
Cause I don't need another,
Don't need no other lover,
All I needs another chance,
To show you I understand.
Cause I don't need another,
Don't need no other lover,
You don't need another man,
I'll give you all that I can,
Mhhmm, all that I can - x2
Verse:
I know it's hard to move on,
From all the things I have done,
But I'm done with doing you wrong,
Cause I know that you are the one for me,
Baby don't go after all we've been through,
I just want you to know,
From now on I will be true,
Chorus
Bridge
I don't know what else to say,
To show you how I have changed
But I don't know what I can do,
To prove I'm telling the truth,
Wikipediaによれば，現在同性婚を国のレベルで認めている国が15か国，地方自治体レベルで認めている国が数か国あります。残念なことに日本はそのどちらにも入っていませんが，この問題を取り巻く状況はロシアの方が厳しいようです。Wikipediaの記述によると「2013年ロシアでLGBTI（レズビアン・ゲイ・バイセクシャル・トランスジェンダー・インターセックス）の人々を取り締まる法が成立したことがきっかけで，彼らに対するいやがらせ，逮捕や暴力などが始まった」ということです。
"Uprisning of Love"は2013年12月に発足した同名組織のための曲で，ロシア自由基金（Russian Freedom Fund）をサポートすることで，ロシアのLGBTIの人々が暮らしやすい社会を実現しようとするものです。Melissa Etheridgeはこの組織の共同創設者であすが，彼女以外にも，Madonna，Cyndi Lauper，James Franco，Sara Gilbert，Sean Hayes，Chris Colfer，George Takei，Sigourney Weaverなどの著名人がこの運動を支持しています。
According to Wikipedia, currently gay marriage is legal in fifteen countries and some of sub-national jurisdictions. It's a shame Japan is not on either of the lists but things are much worse in Russia. Wikipedia says, "In 2013 Russia has enacted new laws against LGBTI ( lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex )
"Uprisning of Love" is an eponymous song for an organization launched in December 2013 to support the Russian Freedom Fund, working to enact positive change for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) Russian people. The singer Melissa Etheridge is co-founder of the organization and it's supported by other celebrities including Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, James Franco, Sara Gilbert, Sean Hayes, Chris Colfer, George Takei, and Sigourney Weaver. Uprising of Love (Melissa Etheridge)
My eyes are wide-open recognizing change
It feeds the fires of the fear
Where human love seems strange
I'm gonna rise above
I believe that love is love
I'm gonna raise my hands
With every woman, child and man
I'm gonna start an uprising
I'm gonna start an uprising of love
I'm gonna start an uprising of love
There's no need for hiding
And there's no need for shame
Come into the sun, tell everyone
Love has a face it has a name
I'm gonna rise above
I believe that love is love
I'm gonna raise my hands
With every woman, child and man
I'm gonna start an uprising
I'm gonna start an uprising of love
I'm gonna start an uprising of love
A sacred force created me
In that I had no choice
Gave me my heart and who it loves
My arms to hold and gave me my voice
I'm gonna start an uprising of love
I'm gonna start an uprising of love
I'm gonna start an uprising of love
I'm gonna start an uprising of love
I'm gonna start an uprising
I'm gonna start an uprising of love
I'm gonna start an uprising of love
の箇所が難しい。「uprising of love」とはどういうことなのか。無論，そこまで考えず「愛の蜂起」あるいは「愛の反乱」とすればいいのかもしれませんが，そうすると，そこだけ訳語が突出した印象になるだけでなく，一体主人公が何をやろうとしているのかが逆にぼやけてしまいます。
またそれ以外にも「Love has a face it has a name」も曲者です。直訳すれば「愛には顔も名前もある」ですが，それは一体どういう意味なのか？最初はなかなかわからなかったのですが，当のMelissa Etheridgeが「愛には形もないし予測もできない。だけど人間ならみんな誰でもわかるものだし，みんなが求めているというもの」と答えていることを踏まえて，訳文のような形になっています。
Just The Way You Areというタイトルを聞いた時，誰が思い浮かぶでしょうか？私の場合はミダス王です。このタイトルを耳にして思い出すのは常にミダス王だったので，このタイトルの曲と言えばミダス王のJust The Way You Are一択だと思っていました・・・そう昨日までは。
まさか同じタイトルでこれ以外の有名な曲があろうとは思ってもいませんでしたが・・・ありましたよ。勿論この曲のことは知っていましたし，アーティストが誰かも知っていましたが，タイトルは知りませんでした。ただ1977年にリリースされたことを考えると，人によっては，タイトルを聞いて思い出すのはこちらの方なのかもしれません。
When you hear a song title "Just The Way You Are", who comes into your head? To me it's Bruno Mars. The song title is always associated with him and I believed he was the only candidate...before yesterday.
I've never imagined that there's another well-known "Just The Way You Are" but here it is. Of course I knew the song. I knew who sang it but not its title. Considering the fact that it's released in 1977, to some people it's this one that they associate with the title. Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)
Don't go changing, to try and please me
You never let me down before
Don't imagine you're too familiar
And I don't see you anymore
I would not leave you in times of trouble
We never could have come this far
I took the good times, I'll take the bad times
I'll take you just the way you are
Don't go trying some new fashion
Don't change the color of your hair
You always have my unspoken passion
Although I might not seem to care
I don't want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard
I just want someone that I can talk to
I want you just the way you are.
I need to know that you will always be
The same old someone that I knew
What will it take 'till you believe in me
The way that I believe in you.
I said I love you and that's forever
And this I promise from my heart
I couldn't love you any better
I love you just the way you are.
アーティストの名前はBoyですが女性2人組です。さて，歌詞に登場するseven little numbersですが，私は電話番号だと思っています。TVや映画でご存じだと思いますが，アメリカの電話番号は555-0100のように７桁です。
因みに上記の555で始まる7桁の電話番号。一般的には実在しないと思われていますが，それは違います。実際に存在する番号もありますが，ただ555-0100から5550199まではフィクション用に割り当てられていて，実在しない番号なのだそうです。つまり使える架空の番号は100個しかないということになります。
だとすると，あるTVドラマの中のCEOが，他のTVドラマの犯罪者と同じ電話番号ということもありうるわけです。
Although the band name is Boy, it consists of two girls. Although the protagonist doesn't reveal what "seven little numbers" in the lyrics are, I think they represent a phone number. As you see in many TV shows and films, a phone number has seven digits, like 555-0100.
For your information, phone numbers starting with 555 are widely believed that they don't exist for real. That's not true. Some do exist. Only from 555-0100 to 555-0199 are specifically reserved for fictional use and do not exist for real. This means only 100 phone numbers are available.
If so, it's likely that a company CEO appearing in an episode of a TV show could share his phone number with a criminal in a different TV show. A Charming Little Number Called "Little Numbers" (Boy)
Waited for your call, for the moon
To release me from the longest afternoon
I've re-arranged parts of my living room
But time is hard to kill since I met you
Looking at the cars that drive on by
While spring is making promise outside
Red cars are quite rare I realize
Then I wonder which color you like
Seven little numbers baby, they could be a start
Seven little numbers baby, I know yours by heart
Woo-oh, oh-oh, all the pretty things that we could be
Woo-oh, oh-oh, I feel you in every heart beat
Woo-oh, oh-oh, were you ever in a dream that could come true
These numbers could be lucky for you
Watch the sky change to a darkened blue
I can't think of another thing to do
And every song just makes me think of you
Because the singers sounds as if she was longing,
As if she was longing, too
Seven little numbers baby, they could be a start
Seven little numbers baby, I know yours by heart
Seven little numbers baby, they could make a change
Seven little numbers baby, make a fire out of this flame
Woo-oh, oh-oh, all the pretty things that we could be
Woo-oh, oh-oh, I feel you in every heart beat
Woo-oh, oh-oh, were you ever in a dream that could come true
These numbers could be lucky for you
I read your name on every wall, on every wall, tell me
Is there a cure for me at all, for me at all, tell me
I read your name on every wall, on every wall, tell me
Is there a cure for me at all, for me at all
Woo-oh, oh-oh, all the pretty things that we could be
Woo-oh, oh-oh, I feel you in every heart beat
Woo-oh, oh-oh, were you ever in a dream that could come true
These numbers could be lucky for you
Woo-oh, oh-oh
Woo-oh, oh-oh
Woo-oh, oh-oh
These numbers could be lucky
These numbers could be lucky for you
この曲，歌詞に登場する主人公はサボテンですが，無論メタファーです。あくまでも私見ですが，アーティストのLightsがメタファーとしてこの植物を選んだのには以下のような理由があるような気がします。すなわち：
・ 美しい女性のメタファーとしてよく花を使うが，一般的にサボテンは花とは思われていない。.
・ またサボテンは砂漠のような厳しい環境で育つ
・ トゲがあるため，とっつきにくく皮肉屋の人間を連想させやすい
ただ思うに，我々人間は，ある意味誰もが「谷間のサボテン」なのではないでしょうか。砂漠の太陽のような厳しい状況下にある人，また異常に乾燥した空気に（自信や元気という）水分を奪われてしまっている人。その状況でどうにも動けないと，袋小路に追い詰められたような気になりますが，本当は違います。出口はどこかに必ずあるはず。
The protagonist in the lyrics is a cactus and of course it's a metaphor. In my opinion, Lights chose the plant as a metaphor for the protagonist on the grounds that :
- A cactus is not generally considered as a flower which is often used as a metaphor for a beautiful woman.
- It also grows in a rather harsh environment such as a desert.
- Also its thorny feature is easy to associated with unfriendly and misanthropic personality.
I think, however, we're all 'cactus in the valley' in a way. Some of us are exposed to and burned by the desert sun and others are being dried up losing water they retain within their body to excessively dry air. Unable to move, we feel as if we're stuck in the dead end. Actually we're not. There's always some way out here. Cactus In The Valley (Lights ft. Owl City)
I never meant to wither
I wanted to be tall
Like a fool left the river
And watched my branches fall
Old and thirsty, I longed for the flood
To come back around
To the cactus in the valley
That's about to crumble down
And wipe the mark of sadness from my face
Show me that your love will never change
If my yesterday is a disgrace
Tell me that you still recall my name
So, the storm finally found me
And left me in the dark
In the cloud around me
I don't know where you are
If this whole world goes up in arms
All I can do is stand
And I won't fight for anyone
Until you move my hand
And wipe the mark of madness from my face
Show me that your love will never change
If my yesterday is a disgrace
Tell me that you still recall my name
Oh, here
In the shadow
Here I am
And I need someone by my side
It becomes so
Hard to stand
And I keep trying to dry my eyes
Come and find me
In the valley
And wipe the mark of sadness from my face
Show me that your love will never change
If my yesterday is a disgrace
Tell me that you still recall my name
Wipe the mark of madness from my face
Show me that your love will never change
If my yesterday is a disgrace
Tell me that you still recall my name
Woo ooh
Tell me that you still recall my name, no
Tell me that you still recall my name, mm mm
海外の歌詞サイトでは，この曲は神への救いを求めた曲だという人が大半ですが，それはおそらく聖書に「Even if I shall walk in the valleys of the shadows of death,」という箇所があり，それを連想してしまうためでしょう。最初この曲を聴いた時，何故Owl Cityとのコラボだったのかが掴めなかったのですが，仮にそうだとすると筋が通ります。
2年前激しい地震が東北を襲った時，私は病室にいて，幾重に重なった大波が沿岸を飲み込むのをＴＶの生中継で見ながら，まだ間に合ううちに「何か」しなくてはといういてもたってもいられない気持ちになりました。「何か」の正体はわかりませんでしたが，何故かそう感じました。
Stephen Jobsは「人生には必ず終わりがくる。だから生きている時間を無駄にするな（Your time is limited, so don't waste it）」と語り，James MorrisonはOne Lifeのなかで「人生は一度きり，やり直しはきかないし，取り替えることもできない，だから精一杯生きるんだ（I got one life, one life, one life, And I'm gonna live it）」と歌っています。これから先の人生を「ああすればよかった，こうすればよかった」と後悔しながら生きるのがイヤなら，自分がやるべきだと思うことをやって，納得できる人生を送ってください。今日が「新しい」人生の始まりかもしれません。
Two years ago, when a violent earthquake hit the Tohoku area on March 11, 2011, I was in a hospital room and was watching a series of ocean waves invading coasts of the area live on TV. I got a burning feeling that I've got to do something before it's too late. I didn't know what "something" represented but somehow felt that way. Stephen Jobs said, "You time is limited, so don't waste it" and James Morrison sings, "you got only one life". You don't want to spend the rest of your life thinking you should have done this or that, do you? So just do what you believe you should do and live it right. Today could be the day 1 of your 'new' life. Long Road To Forgiveness (Brett Dennen ft. Jason Mraz)
(Jason Mraz Special)
It's a long road to forgiveness
But I got nothing but time
I will be there to bear witness
And I've got love in this heart of mine
A tiny little teardrop in the ocean
Whose ripples never reach the shore
And I was at war with my emotions
But I never knew what I was fighting for
It's a long road to forgiveness
But I got nothing but time
I will be there to bear witness
And I've got love in this heart of mine
Forgiveness is the greatest kind of love there is
Best believe in what you can't see
Let faith be your evidence
You gotta shine a light on the path back your home
Cause after all, forgiveness it is a long damn road
And so it is
And so it goes
And so it is
And so it must be
So it is
So I've been told
Time moves on
Time will be
Time moves slow
And so it is
And so it must be
So the sky becomes the sea
So the sky
Becomes the sea
It's a long road to forgiveness
And I got nothin but time
I will be there to bear witness
I got love
And I've got love in this heart of mine
I got love
I've got love in this heart of mine
I've got love
I've got love in this heart of mine
今年の３月東京でのショウケース･ ギグで，Ed Sheeranがこの曲を観客に一緒に歌うように求めなければ，この曲を耳にすることはなかったでしょう。あれから半年を過ぎた今になって，あの時500人ほどのファンとともに，その場にいられたことがいかに幸運なことだったのか，ようやくわかり始めてきたところです。あの瞬間，Ed Sheeranと観客の心がつながったと思います。彼の求めに応じて，観客は彼が楽屋に引っ込んだ後もしばらくこの曲を歌い続けました。最後の「自分の姿を見失っても，君がいれば思い出せる，家路を照らす街灯のように，本当の自分に戻らせてくれる」の部分は今も私の心のなかで響き続けています。
I'm sure I would have never heard this song if Ed Sheeran had not asked his audience to sing it with him at the end of his first showcase gig in Tokyo last March. More than six months have passed since then. Now I'm realizing how lucky I was, being there at that time with other some 500 people. I surely felt the singer and the audience were mentally "connected" at that moment He asked us to keep singing after he disappeared in the dressing room. It went on and on and on .... The lines "When I need to get home, you're my guiding light, you're my guiding light." is still echoing in my mind now.. Guiding Light (Foy Vance)
(Ed Sheeran Cover)
Well the road is wide,
and waters run of either side,
and my shadow went with fading light,
stretching out towards the night.
'Cause the Sun is low,
and I yet have still so far to go,
my lonely heart is beating slow,
tired of the wonder,
there's a sign ahead,
but I think it's the same one again,
and I'm thinking 'bout my only friend,
and so I find my way home.
When I need to get home
you're my guiding light,
you're my guiding light.
When I need to get home,
you're my guiding light,
you're my guiding light.
Well the air is cold,
and yonder lies my sleeping soul,
by the branches broke like bones,
this weakened tree no longer holds
but the night is still,
and I have not yet lost my will,
and so I will keep on moving 'till,
'till I find my way home.
When I need to get home,
you're my guiding light,
you're my guiding light.
When I need to get home,
you're my guiding light,
you're my guiding light.
Mat Kearneyは熱心なキリスト教徒で，Finding Meのようなそれ方面の曲を作っています。私自身は不可知論者なので，そういう曲を和訳しても，どうしても内容が無神論的なものになってしまうため，そのたびになんともいえず罰当たりな気持ちになります。
ところで，彼はこの曲をトルコのイスタンブルにいた時に作ったとか。ボスフォラス海峡（本人はボスフォラス川と言ったようですが，実際は海峡です）を見下ろすアパートに住んでいた時に出来た曲らしい。
ご存じのように，イスタンブルの前身はビザンチン帝国の首都，コンスタンチノープルで，第４次十字軍による略奪によって衰退しました。まさかキリスト教徒を代表して，贖罪のためにそこに行ったわけじゃないとは思うんですけどね。・・・まさかねえ。
ラヴソングとしては直球で，好きだから帰らずこのままずっと一緒にいてくれという曲ですね。
Mat Kearney is a devoted Christian and wrote some songs with religious context, like Finding Me Being myself an agnostic, my translation tends to be more or less atheistic and that makes me feel blasphemous a bit.
Anyway, he is said to have written this song when he was in Istanbul, Turky living in an apartment overlooking the Bosphorus strait (actually he said the Bosphorus River but it's a strait).
As you know, Istanbul, formerly called Constantinople was an ancient capital of the Byzantine Empire and declined after sack and pillage by the Fourth Crusade. Was he there for redemption or something like that on behalf of Christians? No, it can't be.
It's a simple love song. "I love you so don't leave and stay with me forever." City of Black and White (Mat Kearney)
This whole city's black and white
Tell me what is your color
Could it be the same as mine
Faded greens and blue street lights
There's a red fire burning from the sea up to the sky
'Cause I don't want to wait until tomorrow
To tell you how I feel the rest of my life
You don't want a waste another minute when you realize
Walking on the dark side of the evening
Maybe it was you who opened my eyes
Burning like a fire on the water
The city of black and white
Won't you just stay
Won't you just stay
I'm on the top stair looking down
If you're coming up to me it's where the whole world wants to be found
Golden rings in coffee brown
There's white flag waving where my heart is on the ground
'Cause I don't want to wait until tomorrow
To tell you how I'll feel the rest of my life
You don't want to waste another minute when you realize
Walking on the dark side of the evening
Maybe it was you that opened my eyes
Burning like a fire on the water
The city of black and white
Won't you just stay
Won't you just stay
Won't you just stay now when the light goes
Under a dark street no one else knows
So take my hand
I'll carry you
You can carry me
'Cause I don't want to wait until tomorrow
To tell you how I'll feel the rest of my life
You don't want a waste another minute when you realize
Walking on the dark side of the evening
Maybe it was you who opened my eyes
Burning like a fire on the water
The city of black and white
Won't you just stay
Won't you just stay
Won't you just stay now
Stay now
Stay now when the light glows
Won't you just stay
Won't you just stay
Ed Sheeranは，非常に才能あるシンガー・ソングライターで，彼の歌を聴いては驚くばかりですが，このヴィデオでも，シンプルだけれど大変に美しいこの曲を，素晴らしい歌唱力で歌い上げ，その音楽的才能を見せています。
ところで，下の最初のヴィデオはアコースティックです。勿論，それも大変素晴らしいのですが，個人的には，2番目のスタジオ録音の方をお勧めします。バックにドラムが入っているのですが，それがまるで心臓の鼓動のように響き，音に深みとニュアンスが加わっています。
Ed Sheeran is such an amazingly talented singer-songwriter that his music always surprises me. In the video, he demonstrates his musical gifts by his awesome vocal skill and this simple yet incredibly beautiful love song.
The first video below is acoustic. It's amazing but I prefer the studio recording (the second video) because it has the background drum beats which reminds me of heartbeats. They add the depth and texture to the sound. Kiss Me (Ed Sheeran)
(studio recording)
Settle down with me
Cover me up
Cuddle me in
Lie down with me
And hold me in your arms
And your heart's against my chest, your lips pressed in my neck
I'm falling for your eyes, but they don't know me yet
And with a feeling I'll forget, I'm in love now
Kiss me like you wanna be loved
You wanna be loved
You wanna be loved
This feels like falling in love
Falling in love
We're falling in love
Settle down with me
And I'll be your safety
You'll be my lady
I was made to keep your body warm
But I'm cold as the wind blows so hold me in your arms
Oh no
My heart's against your chest, your lips pressed in my neck
I'm falling for your eyes, but they don't know me yet
And with this feeling I'll forget, I'm in love now
Kiss me like you wanna be loved
You wanna be loved
You wanna be loved
This feels like falling in love
Falling in love
We're falling in love
Yeah I've been feeling everything
From hate to love
From love to lust
From lust to truth
I guess that's how I know you
So I hold you close to help you give it up
So kiss me like you wanna be loved
You wanna be loved
You wanna be loved
This feels like falling in love
Falling in love
We're falling in love
Kiss me like you wanna be loved
You wanna be loved
You wanna be loved
This feels like falling in love
Falling in love
We're falling in love
余談ですが，この曲，今まで人生であまりモテた経験がなく，どちらかと言えばこっぴどく振られてばかりで，もう自分のことを好きになってくれる人なんていないと諦めていた男が，初めて目の前にあらわれた「幸運」を前に，なかなか思いきれず，自己嫌悪に陥りながらもそれでも一歩を踏み出そうとしてる曲という感じがしました。いわばIf you don't wanna love meの男女を逆転させたものとでも申しましょうか。
更に余談（というより蛇足）です。「I was made to keep your body warm, But I'm cold as the wind blows so hold me in your arms」の箇所はメタファーですが，このようにEd Sheeranは，coldとwarmを好んでメタファーとして使っているようです。The A Teamにも，Lego Houseにも，Drunkにもこのメタファーが使われています。彼の特徴かもしれません。そして，最後2回のサビの繰り返し「This feels like falling in love」のところのlove歌い方が，いわゆるEd Sheeran節ですね。
アーティストのなかには通称名のある人もいて，例えば，Emと言えばEminem，JLoと言えばJennifer Lopezを指します。MJと言えば当然Michael Jacksonです。同様に，JBという単語を見たり聞いたりした場合，普通はソウルの名付け親故James Brownを思い出します。かつては私もそうでした。しかし妹の一件で，今ではJBと聞くと，James Bluntの方を連想してしまいます。（事の詳細は2012年1月6日の投稿をご覧くださいhttp://oyogetaiyakukun.blogspot.com/2012/01/so-far-gone-james-blunt.html）。
それはさておき，日本で暮らしていると，戦争というものは，映画やドラマや本のなかだけに存在するように思われます。復員兵の抱えるＰＴＳＤの問題について，記事や本を読んでみても，それが実感できるまでにはなかなか至りません。
一方，James Bluntはかつて英国軍の将校でした。そのことを知った当時はさほど気にならなかったのですが，彼の曲を聴くうちに，彼はかつて（そして今も）何かを抱えていたのではと思うようになりました。この歌詞の中にも，the fire of hesitationという箇所が出てきます。従軍経験があれば，ここもすぐに理解できるのかもしれません。しかしそうでない私には，百回以上聴いても，まだそれがつかめません。
Some of artists have their own alias. For example, Em stands for Eminem, JLo for Jennifer Lopez and MJ, of course, for Michael Jackson. Most people think of James Brown, The Godfather of Soul when they see or hear the word JB. I had been one of them before my sister redefined it. In my case, it stands for James Blunt instead. (Please check out my post on January 2012 to refresh your memory. http://oyogetaiyakukun.blogspot.com/2012/01/so-far-gone-james-blunt.html）.
Anyway, living in Japan, a war is something that happens only in a film, a TV show or a book. I have read many articles about PTSD of war veterans. I think I understand them but still they don't add up to become something that is real./tangible
When I heard that James Blunt was once served in British Army as an officer, I didn't take it too seriously. The more I listen to his songs, however, the more I come to realize he was (and maybe still is) carrying some burden on his shoulder. If I had served as a soldier, I could have understand "the fire of hesitation" in the lyrics immediately. I have already listened to the song more than 100 times to get the true meaning of the phrase only to fail. Cry (James Blunt)
I have seen peace.
I have seen pain,
Resting on the shoulders of your name.
Do you see the truth
through all their lies?
Do you see the world
through troubled eyes?
And if you want to talk about it anymore,
Lie here on the floor and
Cry on my shoulder,
I'm a friend.
I have seen birth.
I have seen death.
Lived to see a lover's final breath.
Do you see my guilt?
Should I feel fright?
Is the fire of hesitation burning bright?
And if you want to talk about it once again,
On you I depend. I'll cry on your shoulder.
You're a friend.
You and I have been through many things.
I'll hold on to your heart.
I wouldn't cry for anything,
But don't go tearing your life apart.
I have seen fear.
I have seen faith.
Seen the look of anger on your face.
And if you want to talk about what will be,
Come and sit with me, and cry on my shoulder,
I'm a friend.
And if you want to talk about it anymore,
Lie here on the floor and cry on my shoulder,
Once again
Cry on my shoulder,
I'm a friend.
